Gossip

News of the murders spread through Lima like a wildfire in the woods. All anyone could talk about at school the next day were the murders of Rachel Berry and Finn Hudson…well, everyone except Kurt Hummel. When he awoke the next morning, it was to an empty house, bringing a smile to his face. He didn't have to wake up to Finn's incessant snoring. Even though Finn's room is down the hall, his snoring is so loud; Kurt can actually hear it in his room. He has started wearing earplugs to bed every night.

Kurt pushed the blanket off of him and pulled out an outfit for the day ahead of him…but first he plans to take a nice long hot relaxing shower. Now that Burt and Carol, happily and newly married, are on their honeymoon, Kurt is home alone with Finn for the next week. He can spend as much time in the shower as he wants to. The thought brings a wide glowing smile to his porcelain-like face. Finn is his new stepbrother, and while they had problems in the beginning, they sure-do act like brothers now. Kurt finds Finn's many annoying habits excruciating, yet endearing at the same time.

Kurt lets the water of the shower turn hot, before stepping in. The water feels nice on his skin after having a long cold night wrapped in many blankets. Kurt takes his time in the shower, relaxing in the silence of the house. It's very rare he can find peace and quiet between Finn's thunderous video games, that boasted screaming and gunfire, and Burt Hummel's blaring football games. Carol though, is amazing. He loves his father and Burt, but it is nice to finally have a woman in the house he can talk to again. While she will never replace his mother, but who can, she has become a good confidant for him.

Kurt finishes off his shower, walking back to his room clad in a soft baby blue towel that hung off his lithe, skinny body. Kurt wished he could put on more muscle, but he's always been rather skinny. He could never be like one of those beefy football players, besides if he were he'd never fit into his designer outfits or skintight jeans anymore…and that'd be downright tragic! He spends so much time in his father's garage working to make the money to buy these designer clothes.

Kurt lets the towel fall to the floor and pulls on a pair of black boxer briefs before pulling on a pair of said skinny jeans. The black skinny jeans are skintight as he buttons them and tucks them into his white doc martens. He finishes dressing with a sky blue button up shirt and a white vest and matching white bow tie, before styling his hair, a bit higher today than usual. He gives himself a small smile in the mirror, as if to wish himself luck for the day.

If I was any paler, I could blind people.

Kurt grabs his dark blue Marc Jacobs messenger bag and a tight black pea coat and white scarf and is outside in a second. School awaits him. He is met by the cold brisk wind of the winter day. He wraps the thick warm scarf tight around his neck, trapping the warm air within. He grimaces at the ground to see the snow covered grass and he almost slips while walking along the icy driveway. He was hoping the thunderstorm would melt the snow away, but instead it just froze and turned to ice.

Great.

Kurt always says the only good thing about winter is winter fashion. Kurt slips into his car and drives slowly, being cautious of the roads. As he pulls into the school parking lot, he watches as students' eyes automatically turn to him, boring into his skin, as if they're trying to see what makes the gay kid exist. They're probably wondering why God hasn't struck him down yet. Kurt scoffs at his own thoughts before walking into the school with his head held high, like he owns the place.

As he walks through the hallways; everyone is chattering loudly, gossiping as usual like only a teenager could. They're probably discussing who is hooking up with whom or who is wearing what to the winter formal. Kurt couldn't care less about what they may be saying. But one thing that is making him squirm underneath his coat is the stares. People always stare at him, but he feels more eyes on him than usual. He is beginning to feel like a science experiment.

I hope no one cuts me open with a scalpel though. Now that would put a real damper on my day.

Kurt walks up to his locker carefully setting his coat and scarf inside. He fixes his bowtie in the mirror and adds a dash of hairspray to keep that strong hold in his hair. Before first period even begins, an announcement is heard of the speakers.

The booming voice of Principal Figgins is heard over the loudspeaker, "Kurt Hummel to the principal office, please."

Great! What did I do now? School hasn't even started yet.

Kurt believes that Figgins has it out for him because he is gay. Kurt Hummel is the only out gay kid at William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, and everyone likes to make sure he knows it with the countless torture and ceaseless bullying. Being who he is can become quite lonely sometimes. Kurt would never talk about this to anyone, even his best friend Mercedes Jones, because he is too stubborn and doesn't want anyone to view him as weak. He'd hate to be seen as only the weak gay kid and nothing more. Kurt will do anything to make himself different and stand out from the crowd. He wants everyone to view him as a strong person.

Kurt silently traipses to the principal office, trying his best to ignore the stares. He knocks on Figgins's door and hears the older man welcome him in. The guidance counselor, Ms. Emma Pillsbury sits in a chair next to an empty one. The advisor of Kurt's glee club, Mr. Will Schuester stands beside her.

"What is going on?" Kurt asks filling the awkward air as all their eyes are on him. He can see the one of the things he hates most of all in their eyes – pity. But why do they pity him?

Oh no…did something happen?

"Kurt, please sit down…" Figgins talks to him with a soothing voice as a father would talk to their son. Something must be really bad, because Kurt doesn't think Figgins likes him all that much. He would never talk to him in that reassuring way.

"Kurt, I am so sorry." He feels the strong hand of Mr. Schuester on his shoulder as he apologizes.

What is happening?

Why are they all so sad?

Why are they saying they're sorry?

What is going on?

So many thoughts race through his head, all combining to become one giant train wreck. All Kurt can think about is that something bad has happened.

"What is going on?" Kurt finally asks. His voice is soft, yet determined.

"Kurt…something happened last night…" Mr. Schuester begins.

"What? Is it my father? Did something happen to him? Did he have another heart attack? He is on his honeymoon now though–"

"It isn't your father, Kurt," Mr. Schuester cuts him off, "it's your stepbrother. It's Finn."

"What happened? Is he okay?"

"He's dead, Kurt…"

"What…no? I just saw him last night."

"Someone murdered him and Rachel Berry last night…"

Everything after that became a blur for Kurt. None of this could be happening. Murdered? No. Why? He must be asleep. That has to be it!

Come on Kurt, wake up, wake up already! Kurt continues trying to convince himself this is all a bad dream…but he doesn't wake up. It is reality. He watches all their mouths move, but all he hears is silence. It is like the entire world around him has been put on mute.

The last time he saw Finn, he scolded him for eating all the cookies he made. He told him to leave him alone. He told Finn off before he died. Kurt felt something rising up his throat.

"I'm going to be sick."

Kurt rushes out of the office running away as the three adults yell for him to come back. Kurt pushes open the door of the bathroom and hugs the toilet as he dry heaves in to the dirty toilet, but nothing comes up. He leans back against the stall, locking the door. The bell for first period sounds, but Kurt ignores it allowing a fresh batch of tears to erupt.

"No…this can't be happening," he whispers to himself.

I can't sit here all day.

Kurt pulls himself up and dries his tears. He washes his hands and face and looks at his pale white reflection. If there was any color in his skin, it has drained out, making him look more like a porcelain white doll than ever, fragile waiting to break with the first fall. Well, Kurt refuses to break.

You're strong, Kurt. You can do this.

He leaves the bathroom and walks into the first class. The teacher doesn't even embarrass him for being late, like she usually does to the students. She gives him a smile and lets him sit down in peace. He can feel all the eyes on him as he settles into his seat.

All Kurt wants is his dad.

Oh no! Dad and Carol! They probably don't even know…will I have to tell them?

Kurt doesn't pay attention to the lecture and Kurt even ignores her when she walks around the class settling by him putting a friendly hand on his shoulder. He lightly taps it as she passes by. He just wants to go home and cry into his pillow. Sleeping in that house tonight will be so different, not hearing Finn's endearingly loud snores.

Class was broken when Figgins made an announcement over the loudspeaker about the murders of Finn and Rachel and how the police are looking into it as they speak. They have no suspects.

As the announcement comes to an end, the bell rings and Kurt doesn't even remember walking to his next class. He feels like a robot just going wherever he is programmed to walk to. Is he even here? Not completely.

Kurt stands outside the cafeteria at lunchtime. He really doesn't want to go inside. If anyone else stares at him, he may actually lash out. Even the bullies are just background noise to him today. If anyone said anything to him, he wouldn't register it. One thing he is happy about is the fact that Karofsky stayed home today. Thinking about that name still brings a shudder to his spine. David Karofsky is the bully that has tormented Kurt the most for being gay. But after kissing him recently, Karofsky threatened to kill Kurt…and ever since Kurt has been too afraid to say anything to anyone. Not a soul knows…and Kurt will keep it that way. He is afraid to find out what he is capable of. Karofsky already stole his first kiss. What else could he steal from him? His life.

Kurt walks away from the cafeteria and finds himself moving towards the music room. It would be empty now. And he is right. Not a soul sits within. He turns on the light illuminating the darkened room and sits down beside the piano. He runs his fingers over the ivory keys letting each note sing out. Kurt sits down at the piano and begins to play. No matter what, he has always fallen towards music as his one safe place. With music he cannot be hurt. Kurt closes his eyes and continues to play knowing the song by heart. He begins to sing his heart out.

Who can say for certain

Maybe you're still here

I feel you all around me

Your memory, so clear

Deep in the stillness

I can hear you speak

You're still an inspiration

Can it be

That you are mine

Forever love

And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight

To see you smile

If only for awhile to know you're there

A breath away not far

To where you are

Are you gently sleeping

Here inside my dream

And isn't faith believing

All power can't be seen

As my heart holds you

Just one beat away

I cherish all you gave me everyday

'Cause you are my

Forever love

Watching me from up above

And I believe

That angels breathe

And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up

To where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight

To see you smile

If only for awhile

To know you're there

A breath away not far

To where you are

I know you're there

A breath away not far

To where you are

By the end of the song, Kurt's face is covered in tears. He covers his face with his hands and just let the sobs rise.

How could this happen? Finn could never hurt anyone. He might be a bit dumb, but he was very sweet.

Kurt feels a pair of arms wrap around him from behind him. He jumps out of his skin but turns around to see a dark-skinned young woman. She looks at him sympathetically, but no pity lies within her eyes.

"Mercedes!"

"I'm so sorry Kurt. I heard you singing…and that song was beautiful."

She pulls him into another hug and he welcomes this one as he breaks down into her arms. After minutes of crying, Kurt pulls his face away from her now wet blouse and asks her why any of this happened.

"I have no idea, Boo. Bad things happen to good people. I wish I had an explanation for this. Come on. Let's go to our next class. I missed you in lunch today."

Kurt nods and Mercedes links her arms around his, leading him to their class. She sits beside him and holds his hand the entire class. All the teachers are lenient on Kurt today, letting anything he does slide. Some of the bullies and Neanderthal jocks even put their bullying aside for the day, but this was only a select few.

After school, Kurt skips glee club and tells Mercedes to notify everyone else he went home. When Kurt returns home, an empty house welcomes him. He sits upon the couch and just cuddles up to the couch. He feels like crying, but doesn't think he has any more tears left inside his skinny little body.

Now all he wants to do is sleep. In all his life sleep hasn't sounded so soothing, so he closes his eyes and lets himself be taken away for at least a little while.